Taiwan Taipei Mission

Taiwan Taipei Mission

Monday, June 29, 2015

Staying in TouFen

This week was another fast hot, humid (I don't know how I am surviving
the heat here) week! I can't believe how fast the time is going by! I
start my 4th transfer in Taiwan (6 total in the field) today! Yes, I am
still called to serve in TouFen. On Friday we had transfer meeting and
everyone was invited to go because it was President and Sister Day's
last time to say goodbye everyone till they finish their service as
Mission President this Tuesday. It was a great meeting but I'll get to
that in a sec. :)

SO for the biggest news this week,
Chen DX got BAPTIZED AND CONFIRMED!!!! It was the neatest service. Being
able to see the gospel change his life has been so so neat. He has
personally gotten rid of his previous addictions, given up smoking on
his own, drinking on his own, etc. the list goes on and on. He is a very
nervous and shy person. It was the neatest thing. He wrote out his
testimony to share after he got baptized and it was a simple but
spiritual testimony. He went through all the commandments--especially
the Word of Wisdom and promised he would follow the commandments. He is
so grateful for how the commandments have changed his life.

This
last week, while on exchanged with the Sister Training Leaders, we had a
great lesson with Huang Qian Wen. We discussed faith and read part of
Nephi building the ship and the faith he had even when those around
him--his older brothers--didn't believe he could do what the Lord
commanded him to do. Huang JM applied Nephi's experience perfectly to
her life. She knows she needs to build her courage to tell her
parents-in-law she wants to attend church. I'm so grateful for the
privilege I have to help Huang JM come unto Christ.

This
week, we have also had tons of time to do finding. Many of the
investigators we have been previously working with have become 'other
investigators' or formal investigators because of their lack of
interest. Sister Cardon and I have really been focusing on finding those
who are ready and prepared to hear our message of the Restored Gospel.
After many hours of finding and not much success, we had the HUGEST
miracle occur. We knocked on a door Saturday night. Zhang XianShang came
and opened his garage door and started talking to us. He has many
Christian friends at work and seemed really interested. We were talking
with him for some time and his wife was watching us from the window.
After about 5ish minutes she came outside and invited us all in.
There, we were able to answer some of their questions--what is the
difference between all the Christian churches and why there are so many,
etc. (basically all the questions that are answered by the first
lesson) and we taught them how to pray. Before we left, Zhang XianShang
said such a neat prayer. It was his first time. He said in his prayer
that he is not yet Christian but that he is grateful for the chance he
has to learn about Christianity. Jiang XiaoJie (His wife) is also super
cute and really nice. They have a 2 year old daughter. We invited them
to Church the next morning and to our branch activity that occurred last
night. They came to the branch activity and totally fit in! The members
we great to introduce themselves and make them feel welcome. And their
daughter loved playing with all the children. Definitely a huge miracle
Heavenly Father gave us to end this last week. We have scheduled an
appointment with them this Thursday night at 8 and I can't wait! I
really feel good about them!

Lastly,
Transfers...We receive Transfer calls Wednesday night and transfer
meeting is on Friday. To be honest, I was pretty sure I was going to be transferred from TouFen. I was shocked when we got the call Wednesday
night that Sister Cardon and I were both going to be staying in TouFen.
At first, it was really hard for me to hear this news. I love TouFen but
I had many times this last week where I thought I just didn't know how
to help this area continue to progress. But, the words, "The Lord has a
lot in store for you in Taiwan" said from President Day in my quarterly
interview kept popping up in my head. I prayed for Heavenly Father to
give me comfort to know I am supposed to stay in TouFen. I know
Heavenly Father has answered that prayer. Over the last few days, I have
seen several things take place that have made me realized I am still
here for a purpose. I am excited for this next transfer. To continue to
help the individuals in Toufen. I love this place with all my heart. I
know this is where Heavenly Father needs me to be.

But,
because of what I said up top, we were able to attend transfer meeting.
This transfer meeting, we welcomed 4 new missionaries into our mission
and 26 missionaries honorably finished their missions--included in that
26 is Sister McKenzie Smith (my college roommate) she gave an AMAZING
closing testimony. I will miss her so so much. I was able to go on
exchanged with her once during my 2nd transfer on island and I learned
so so much from her. I hope she will come visit you when she goes back
to school in the fall at BYU-I. President and Sister Day also gave their
closing testimonies. I am so sad to see them go. I love them with all
my heart. They are such amazing Mission Parents. I know their time is up
in Taiwan but I plan to keep in contact with them as they continue to
live their lives back in Tennessee. We welcome our new President,
President Jergensen and his wife and 14 year-old twin boys to our
mission on Tuesday, June 30.

I want to wish you all a Happy 4th of July! Have so much fun! Make sure to send lots of pictures!!

Love you All!!

Sister Haacke

Us and Chen DX, Qiu DX baptized him. Lai DX is also pictured. He got
baptized a couple weeks ago. Chen DX and Lai DX are pretty good friends
and have be taking the lessons together since the beginning of my 2nd
transfer here.

Sister Cardon and I and Chen DX after his baptism.

A member Xu JM and an investigator, Maggie, from Miaoli that came with
our District Leader and his companion to attend the baptism. Xu JM said
she might know you dad..?!

We went to Lion's Head Mountain again last Preparation day! (Next four pictures.) It was really fun! Yes, and there were spiders everywhere!

At our branch activity tonight, we had a talent show and this little
girl, Wang Zi Wei (8 years old) played the cello! It reminded me of all
my musically talented siblings at home! Love you all!!